Observing Good Friday with a toddler

We made such a big fuss of Christmas around here that I’m actually a little embarrassed that I’ve let Easter sneak up on us when it’s such a significant part of the Christian calendar. Talking to Talitha about Jesus’ death and resurrection just wasn’t on my radar last year. I was in such a spiritual funk. But God has really has been doing some serious work in me since then (and is continuing – I certainly need it) and I’ve been feeling strongly that I want to somehow observe Good Friday with Talitha, even she doesn’t understand much of it at 21 months.

So here’s what we have planned:

Prayer first thing in the morning that we all get to know God better today, that we will understand what Jesus did on the cross, that we will put our lives in His hands and that we will truly love others. I try to pray in simple language with Talitha but where there are complex ideas that come naturally into the prayer, I inwardly ask the Holy Spirit to do His work on her heart that she will get whatever she’s meant to get from what we’re doing.

Readings from The Beginner’s Bible spread throughout the day at different points, starting with The Last Supper and ending in the Resurrection. I’m also gathering verses from Isaiah as I’m trying to incorporate more actual Scripture when we read together. Perhaps we’ll read about the Crucifixion in one of the Gospels when we’re having supper.

I’m going to try my hand at baking gluten-free hot cross buns. I’ve been baking with Talitha for a few months now and it’s such fun. She yells “yeah!” when I ask her if she’s going to help Mummy bake.

We haven’t decided yet whether to attend a service. The one at our church is beautifully quiet and reflective but this does mean it’s not so toddler-friendly, which is fine. We’ve been invited to a friend’s but perhaps we’ll just sing and sign a few worship songs at home and maybe listen to a sermon while tidying/playing or just have some quiet time.

Naptime will give us a chance to pray together. I’ve been trying to use some of Talitha’s naptime as a chance to reflect, read the Bible and pray. I’m not nearly as disciplined about this as I need to be but it makes a huge difference to my perspective when I do this. Since it’s a bank holiday, it’ll be great to take advantage of Laurence being home and spending time with God together.